Disneyland Hotel!

 

It was a complete splurge, but we stayed at the iconic Disneyland Hotel! Rates were on sale for 30% off, and since it's our last Disney trip before Audra heads off to college (SOB!) I decided to just do it.

I'm so glad we did!

As we swam in the Monorail Slides, I truly had to keep pinching myself that we were here! The weather was perfect, the pools were perfect, the whole scenery beyond words. I kept thinking, "How on earth is this my life???" I am so lucky!

Eating at Tongogora Terrace- YUM!

                                             

CHAOS!

 Our house has been in absolute CHAOS! We are remodeling the kitchen- a remodel I have begged for for 17 years! If we are going to stay in this house, I need a new kitchen. It's no longer optional. There are/were drawers that weren't working, doors broken off the island, it's a TERRIBLE kitchen- and always has been since the day we moved in.

But...it's a lot. Kitchen renovations are so hard! But, we knew it would be and were prepared. I bought a ton of paper plates and bowls, had a lot of food that could easily be heated up in the microwave or Crock Pot, and we were prepared to eat out as much as needed.

We also threw in painting the whole main level of the house. It's been 17 years, and the dark brown was outdated, dark, and dreary. I was ready for a change.

But, of course, it meant a lot more chaos.

It's been a lot. Thankfully, we have a trip to Disneyland scheduled at the perfect time, when the worst of the painting would occur. We were excited to escape!

Basically, our entire main level was useless. We were glad to get away!

Benson Boone Cookies

 My girls are obsessed with Benson Boone, so when my sister Stephanie told me that Crumbl was doing a special "Benson Boone Mystical Magic Cookie" I knew I had to get it. It was a fun treat!

FINALLY A Hike!

My favorite summer activity, by far, is hiking. Unfortunately, between driving kids around, bad weather, driving kids around, a kitchen remodel, driving kids around, turning over a rental, and driving kids around, it wasn't until tonight that Ben, Audra, and I finally got to go on a hike, sans Claire and Camille who are at girls camp and for once didn't need me driving them around.

Man, a hike is great therapy! 

How To Train Your Dragon

 We don't go to the movies very often, so I had to get a picture of us seeing the live action How To Train Your Dragon. It was a cute movie- we really enjoyed it!

Rise and Shout!

 Dear Audra,

Congratulations on your acceptance to the 2025 Cougar Marching Band!

You will be joining over 200 outstanding musicians in this historic organization that began over 100 years ago. This achievement appropriately reflects success from the endless hours you have spent mastering your instrument or guard equipment in the pursuit of excellence, and is a credit to you, your teachers, and your parents.

Please complete this acceptance form by Friday, June 13th. This form is an acknowledgement contract that you are committed to participating in the Cougar Marching Band this season. Scholarship information and a formal commitment will be emailed by the end of June. The band camp schedule is listed below.

Back story: We were nervous. I know other moms in the BYU Parent Page have said their kids got acceptance letters two weeks ago. But, a couple weeks ago Ben and I were at dinner with Audra's band teacher, Mr. Grease (we ended up on the same volleyball team in our teacher league). I told him we were nervous and he said, "Audra will be fine." I said, "But they only accept 50-60% of those who audition," and he said "Audra. Will. Be. Fine." On the way home, I said to Ben, "He sure seemed confident for someone who shouldn't know anything. Does he know something we don't?"

Regardless, we are so incredibly happy and proud of her! She is going to be amazing! And now Ben and me need to buy some football tickets in Provo!

Birthday Party

 This year, Claire spent hours coming up with her Birthday party idea. She wanted to go to Water World. She has never been there, but she got the idea in her head and wouldn't let it go. She emailed her friends and put together a calendar of when all of their vacations were. Then she figured out when they could all come.

One wonderful thing about Claire is she has drive! She gets an idea and she accomplishes her goals. It's really quite impressive. She will run the world someday!

The party was a massive success. The kids all had a wonderful day, and the weather was perfection. 

But Ben and me don't ever want to do it again! Four hours (each of us) driving to and from, to and from in rush hour traffic both ways. But, there are memories that will hopefully last forever.